Spending money to save money does not make sense or cents. For months, our mayor has touted that the Shop Bayonne Card "will produce great economic benefits for consumers and businesses" and that it is a "win-win for the people of Bayonne."

As a candidate for mayor running on a business platform, I have many concerns about this program.

First and foremost, our elected officials must understand that solutions are working answers to problems. This rewards card is not an answer and won't solve our problems.

To find a solution, we must identify the root of the problems our city faces. Here is my question for City Council. How do we generate enough revenue to balance the city budget while providing tax relief? My answer, it starts with a pro business policy accomplished through reducing tax rates.

In order to achieve lower property taxes, the focus should be to reduce spending, create a more responsible budget, and incentivize entrepreneurs in Bayonne.

This plan is a "little to none" relief measure with Bayonne businesses taking the risk and footing the bill essentially providing stimulus to the consumer to make up for government failure.

Here is how their scheme works. Local business owners pay roughly $300 to FinCredit INC for their "card reader" and monthly maintenance. Then businesses offer a discount within the program to encourage local shopping. Local business owners agree to put a portion of the money they collect from a customer toward that customer's property tax bill and or rent. 75 percent of the "savings" collected would go to the municipality to be allocated to the residents and Fincredit INC. gets their 25% cut.

Having talked to small business owners, they’ve already lowered prices to compete with the big chains and meet the needs of the customers. So currently, the customers are already getting back savings without a portion going to some "Business Solutions" firm.

Volun-told coercion is what the Shop Bayonne initiative is. It pressures businesses to come aboard or suffer the negative press. So, what’s to gain from this risk? Potential growth of 4.6% portrayed by FinCredit INC.

In the township of Marlboro, 48 businesses decided to sign up but just 4 months later nearly half those same businesses dropped out. Though the average sales have risen about 4.6 percent, a business owner could spend the same amount on local advertising and generate up to 15 percent revenue without putting money into a business solution firm.

It is because of these concerns that the city of Butler refused this "property tax card" program. You do not need a solutions firm and their "program" to provide property tax relief.

Which raises the question, is there some benefit owed to FinCredit INC that the residents of Bayonne don’t know about? Why else would the city invest in this program?

Having more Bayonne residents shopping in town is great, but it's only part of the solution. My proposal is this; In order to grow we need to attract commerce from outside of our city. To attract, we need to revitalize Broadway through tax incentives that make it inviting for entrepreneurs to take the risk in opening up a new business in Bayonne while retaining the businesses already here.

We deserve a prosperous Broadway. The homeowners deserve a better return on their property investments. Under our pro-business plan, real relief is on the way.

If you would like to read more about our plan, and other stances, I encourage you to visit www.zanowicformayor.com.

Since you keep deleting my comments on your Facebook page. I really like the transparency you are displaying, cant wait till you become mayor. I read your letter to the editor today. Your numbers are completely off. How can you give a 10% tax break to companies? You would have to take 8 million dollars out of the city coffers, that burden would be then thrust upon the tax payer. You manage a bowling alley in Jersey City, how does that qualify you to be mayor in Bayonne? You've previously stated that Hudson Lanes is the biggest business in Hudson County, have you ever heard of Goldman Sachs? I guess what I am trying to say is, are you insane?

For the record, no one is ever blocked from our Facebook page. The Zanowic campaign encourages people to share their concerns with us. Sharing common concerns with these residents is exactly why we are leading the fight to restore Bayonne.

We have answered countless questions via social media, email, and of course in person at the many events we have held. The questions aren't scripted and answer aren't often easy but we are grateful for people who are willing to listen. We continue to invite everyone to participate and express their views.

We have provided answers to the various questions you have asked both on Facebook and on this website. I am unsure if you are searching for an answer or simply a reaction.

You choose to distort our message and play semantics by making false claims about our positions on reducing property taxes. As it reads on our website: Our plan to reduce taxes is a 4 year plan starting with 2.5% reduction in the first year making a total reduction of 10%. That is restoring the tax rate back down to levels pre-2009.

In regards to incentives for property owners with presently vacant store fronts, that will be handled on an individual basis. We want to encourage entrepreneurs to open up business here. In addition, store front owners want to be able to lease their property. Our plan will fulfill both of those needs.

Semantics and rhetoric is why politics are so divisive and keep people from participating. We want the people's voice and we want their vote to be heard. What I specifically said was "Hudson Lanes is one of the largest small businesses in Hudson County." For anyone who is unsure of this I would ask you go to our Facebook or our website to read for yourself.

If we judge by historical effectiveness I would assert that we do not need another police chief, another scholar, or another attorney in city hall. We need someone who can balance a checkbook, a representative of the people not special interests, a person who knows how small and big business can coexist and together help the city prosper. Bayonne deserves a representative who wants to work for Bayonne not someone who will use Bayonne as their stepping stone to state or federal political aspirations.

We also do no need FinCredit INC and the crony business solutions firm to do what small businesses are already doing.

My suggestion to the voter is follow the money. All contributions are made available online at NJelect.org. We have not and will not take money from special interest groups. Therefore, upon the voters electing Team Zanowic, they know we are getting a truly fresh start with no backdoor debt owed to donors.

BetterBayonne

|

August 22, 2013

For the record, no one is ever blocked from our Facebook page. The Zanowic campaign encourages people to share their concerns with us. Sharing common concerns with these residents is exactly why we are leading the fight to restore Bayonne.

We have answered countless questions via social media, email, and of course in person at the many events we have held. The questions aren't scripted and answer aren't often easy but we are grateful for people who are willing to listen. We continue to invite everyone to participate and express their views.

We have provided answers to the various questions you have asked both on Facebook and on this website. I am unsure if you are searching for an answer or simply a reaction.

You choose to distort our message and play semantics by making false claims about our positions on reducing property taxes. As it reads on our website: Our plan to reduce taxes is a 4 year plan starting with 2.5% reduction in the first year making a total reduction of 10%. That is restoring the tax rate back down to levels pre-2009.

In regards to incentives for property owners with presently vacant store fronts, that will be handled on an individual basis. We want to encourage entrepreneurs to open up business here. In addition, store front owners want to be able to lease their property. Our plan will fulfill both of those needs.

Semantics and rhetoric is why politics are so divisive and keep people from participating. We want the people's voice and we want their vote to be heard. What I specifically said was "Hudson Lanes is one of the largest small businesses in Hudson County." For anyone who is unsure of this I would ask you go to our Facebook or our website to read for yourself.

If we judge by historical effectiveness I would assert that we do not need another police chief, another scholar, or another attorney in city hall. We need someone who can balance a checkbook, a representative of the people not special interests, a person who knows how small and big business can coexist and together help the city prosper. Bayonne deserves a representative who wants to work for Bayonne not someone who will use Bayonne as their stepping stone to state or federal political aspirations.

We also do no need FinCredit INC and the crony business solutions firm to do what small businesses are already doing.

My suggestion to the voter is follow the money. All contributions are made available online at NJelect.org. We have not and will not take money from special interest groups. Therefore, upon the voters electing Team Zanowic, they know we are getting a truly fresh start with no backdoor debt owed to donors.